"Optimize" is an option that saves storage space by automatically removing some files from your local iCloud Drive folder, leaving links so that you can quickly retrieve them for use. The choice is in SystemSettings>AppleID>iCloud>Drive. I just noticed that mine is on, and I swear I didn't turn it on! When you examine your iCloud Drive Folder in Finder
a file that is stored in iCloud but is removed locally has a cloud with a down arrow. In Sequoia you can choose, independently of "Optimize," to remove a file locally. Files removed on your MacAir may be different from files removed on your iMac, for instance.
To your problem: To narrow things down, try these steps:
- Restart the computer (of course)
- Re-start in Safe Mode. This bypasses certain potentially disruptive processes, and it often helps. Safe Mode is different for different computers, so see this:
Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
- Make a new user and see if the same problem recurs with it
The idea is to find out if the problem is with your account, or with caches and login items, and stuff like that. One of these steps may fix the problem, but their failure to work also helps figure out what's happening.
Let us know what happens…
